Russian Around — The New York Timesexplores the uneasy alliance fraying between Russian liberals and nationalists opposed to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The Washington Postreports on the other side: “The authorities are watching, and preparing to head them off.”

Grand Alliance — Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, argues in favor of a “grand Eurasian alliance” between Russia and China in Global Times – the nationalist-slanted Chinese establishment tabloid. “While the idea of a new Sino-Russian alliance appears unworkable, one should not throw the baby away with the bathwater,” he writes.

Most Accommodating — Foreign Affairsdetails how Iran is accommodating – predominantly under house arrest – some of Al-Qaeda’s most senior leaders. Meanwhile, the New York Timestakes (another) long look at the likelihood of an Israeli attack on Iran.

Election 2012 – The U.S. presidential election isn’t the only closely watched political race in the hemisphere; 2012 also marks an important election year in Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, America Economia reports.

Igloo Diplomacy? – The Atlantic’s Steve Clemons takes a different view of the World Economic Forum by comparing the igloo encampment of OccupyWEF protestors with a music festival “Igloofest” in Montreal. Could combining economic protest with late-night partying lead to a breakthrough?